As-Sweida — In July 2025, the residents of Sweida city, including women and children, were subjected to horrific violations by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham jihadists, sparking growing demands for an independent investigation and accountability for those involved.

A testimony from a woman in Sweida revealed alarming details of violations suffered by civilians, including children, during a raid carried out by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham jihadists in mid-July. According to her account, several families were gathered inside one house. She noted that some of them belonged to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham jihadists, while others were of foreign nationalities.

She pointed out that the raiders stole residents' belongings and directed religious insults at them, calling them infidels. She added that the armed men deliberately took the men out of the house on the pretext of helping to put out a fire, after which one of the fighters took a child from her mother's lap and led her to another room, where she remained for a few minutes before being returned.

The witness said: "One of the fighters took a little girl to one of the rooms, then returned with her after photographing her. Afterwards, one of the gunmen asked her to prepare tea, despite her mother's objection that she was too young and this was not their home, but they forced her. Her mother insisted on accompanying her to the kitchen. Then one of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham fighters asked her if she was married. I immediately answered her mother that she is still a child and still studying."

The testimony continued: Shortly after, another fighter entered and told the girl that if anyone asked about her, she should say that someone named "Nawras" had granted her safety. After that, the same man forcibly took the girl again despite her pleas and her reminder of his promise of "safety," while her mother was prevented from following her. She confirmed that the girl was detained inside the kitchen, where her screams and cries for help were heard, before she returned after about ten minutes in a state of severe psychological breakdown, indicating that she had been sexually assaulted.

This testimony highlights the scale of violations suffered by civilians, including children and women, in Sweida city during the attacks carried out by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham jihadists, and the documentation of further testimonies in preparation for holding those responsible for these crimes accountable.